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Review: ‘Perla’The power that holds a family together is tested in Teatro Visíon’s ‘Perla’by Beau Dowling on Apr 22, 2010
FAMILY BONDS are put to the test in Perla, a surreal, magical two-act play by Leonard Madrid, presented by Teatro Visión. Set in a small town in New Mexico, the play gives us a glimpse into the life of a “Hispano” family and a culture that seems to thrive only in that state. Most of the dialogue is in English; luckily, for gringos like myself, there are projected subtitles for Spanish parts. The basic question raised is how far would you go and how much would you do for a family member? Tia Cruz is the queen bee of her family. She has cared for her two nieces, Mariposa and Perla, since they were little girls. The eldest, Mariposa, is a young woman with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Perla is engaged to Calletano. All is fine and well until Perla starts having strange dreams about her missing father, Oro. Oro was a famous singer and notorious womanizer. He was always on the road, and the girls grew up never really knowing their father. In these dreams, Perla encounters Estrella, a young girl who acts like a guide to help find Oro. Estrella shows Perla her father as a broken-down drunk. In these dreams, Perla also encounters her sister. In the waking world, Perla announces she must find her father. Mariposa is livid, and Tia Cruz just wants Oro to stay away. Perla puts off her engagement and eventually encounters her father, a mere shell of a man who seems to be in some sort of coma. She brings him home, but for two years, nothing changes. Mariposa can’t stand Oro, but Tia Cruz at least tolerates his presence. Finally, in Perla’s dream, Oro comes to life. She is then faced with a harrowing decision. The believability of the culture presented is one of the strong points of this play. Rosa Maria Escalante is captivating as Tia Cruz. Mauricio Mendoza is perfectly cast as the self-centered Oro. The chemistry between Jay Vera’s Calletano and Anees Guillen’s Perla is so strong it seems to transcend acting. Sara Luna as Mariposa refines the role of the big sister. The young and talented Aviana Reyes plays the mysterious Estrella with ease. This play had me questioning what to make out of life and how to make that a reality. Because sometimes it seems the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred, and it becomes like that old saying: You can’t see the forest for the trees Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, San Jose Thu–Sat 8pm and Sun 2pm through May 2 Tickets $10–$24 by Beau Dowling on Apr 22, 2010 |
 REUNION: Young Perla (Anees Guillen) finds her long-lost father, Oro (Mauricio Mendoza) in ‘Perla.’ |
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